Pros Of Vaccination Research Paper

Vaccinations - their risks and benefits - have been a constant topic of debate since Dr. Louis Pasteur’s discovery in the 1800’s. From the yearly flu-shot to MMR, Polio, Tetanus and other immunizations, vaccinations prevent disease and, ultimately, death. In modern, developed countries, such as the United States, immunizations are common and widespread. The popular use of these vaccines are essential to the health of the nation and the prevention of epidemics. Despite the theory that autism and other health issues are directly related to vaccinations, immunizations are effective and vital to society as they are scientifically proven to be safe and effective, as well as prevent contractions of epidemics in today’s world. Immunizations are vital to modern society as they are scientifically proven to be safe and effective. “The harms of disease prevented by the vaccines outweigh the risks of
any adverse effects. There are systems in place to protect against any side effects and vaccines are only given to children after a long approval process” (Merino). Merino reveals vaccinations are heavily tested before given to the public. Safety standards are set in place to prevent harm. These checks enable vaccines to be invented for new diseases and be given with a full assurance of safety. While most immunizations consist of temporary side effects, due to either the week strain of the disease in the vaccine or the components of the immunization, the actual disease and epidemic is much worse. In this situation of risks and benefits the consequences of immunizations are overwhelmingly positive. The safety and effectiveness of vaccines are tested and proven before given to the public; therefore, immunizations only prove to benefit society and prevent debilitating diseases; thereby promoting the growth of modern society.
Vaccines are important today as they prevent epidemics and contractions of diseases. “It is entirely possible to eradicate preventable diseases” (Nesson). Nesson states diseases and epidemics can be completely prevented and “eradicated” with the use of vaccines. Before the MMR immunization was invented the vast majority of children would contract measles and mumps. Because said diseases can be deadly at an older age, parents would keep an infected child in close contact with other children to prevent contraction later in life. These children took part in a smaller scale “epidemic” of measles. Since the inception of the vaccination very few children contract the disease and parents no longer ensure a child’s contraction of the disease. Rather, parents can vaccinate children to protect them against the disease. This example shows vaccines, when used on a larger scale with various immunizations, could prevent, as Nesson states, diseases in their entirety. Vaccinations and their prevention of epidemics is important for the health of the nation and society.
Some argue vaccines are directly related to autism and other health issues.
“Despite worries about a connection between autism and vaccines, the evidence does not support a causal link between the two. The number of vaccines given and the additives in vaccines have all been proven to be safe, including the mercury-containing compound thimerosal. The rumors about a connection between MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and autism were started by a British journal article that has since been retracted” (Merino). Merino states the evidence behind a “causal link” between MMR and autism has been retracted. Both the MMR vaccine and thimerosal have been proven safe in scientific studies. Despite the misconception on safety and effects of vaccines, studies have shown vaccines and their additives are safe. Vaccines are not proven to be the direct cause of autism or other health problems. Scientific studies have shown immunizations are safe and are not the direct cause of various health issues, including autism; therefore, vaccines are beneficial to modern society rather than
harmful.
Vaccines are effective and vital to society as they prevent epidemics and are proven to be both safe and effective despite the misconception about a causal relationship between vaccines and autism. Scientific studies show the effectiveness and safety of immunizations. Tests and standards are set in place to ensure vaccines are beneficial and are in no way harmful. Vaccinations, and their history, prove their prevention of diseases and widespread epidemics. Modern society must rely on vaccinations to prevent debilitating epidemics to entire countries and continents as seen in the Bubonic Plague. Major arguments against vaccinations included a British article showing a direct cause-effect relationship between the MMR disease and autism. Said study has since been deemed untrue and further studies have shown thimerosal and other vaccination additives are not harmful. Since Pasteur’s discovery of the rabies vaccination modern societies and scientific countries have used immunizations to combat widespread disease and national debilitation and in turn promote the growth and health of modern society.